Best RN Programs in Louisiana for 2024

Situated in Ruston, Louisiana Tech University’s Division of Nursing is housed by its College of Applied and Natural Sciences (ANS). The college itself focuses on student success through critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills development. Aside from the outreach activities and research opportunities provided by the college, it also has facilities like laboratories and studios to develop students’ excellence in innovation. One of Louisiana Tech’s facilities is the Parkinson Resource Center aimed at helping patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

In terms of student support, ANS has various scholarships available for its students. The Nursing Division prepares students for transition into real-world nursing practice through an excellent innovative education experience.

 Associate of Science in Nursing - Graduates of this 70-total credit hour Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program are eligible to take the licensing exam as a registered nurse. Various employment opportunities are then available ranging from home and hospice care, to ambulatory and long-term care. In terms of curriculum, students are trained to be aware of health care trend delivery. Critical thinking skills are also honed through faculty-student interaction. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) is a SACSCOC-accredited educational institution, located in Lafayette, Louisiana. SLCC has a nonprofit organization formed in 2003 which aims to advance financial support for the college through program and technological advancements, as well as scholarships and staff development.

Its Nursing & Allied Health Division programs are geared for career preparation in various healthcare settings andr educational advancement for a baccalaureate degree at a four-year university. This is achieved through a flexible instructional method.

 Associate of Science in Nursing - This program holistically prepares students for their roles as registered nurses in various health care settings. Graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN. Done through a blend of clinical experiences and classroom instruction, this program can be taken in two tracks: the ASN track and the LPN to RN Transition Track. The ASN track consists of 72 total credit hours, inclusive of 43 and 29 major and general education requirements, respectively. These courses may be transferred for a BSN program. It has a selective admission process.  

 LPN to RN Transition Program - This is the second option for obtaining an ASN degree, and is developed for presently-employed LPNs. This accelerated program has a three-semester coursework. Program admission includes at least three years of experience as an LPN, and a passing score in the nursing entrance test.

 Practical Nursing - Designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills towards becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), this 60-credit hour program has two annual starts—fall and spring semester. The curriculum utilizes simple to complex progression with laboratory work and supervised clinical activities. Program graduates are conferred a diploma and are eligible to take the National Council of State Boards Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Located in Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) is a SACSCOC-accredited non-discriminatory, open-admission college. Its School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences offers Nurse Assistant, Practical Nursing, and Registered Nursing Programs. LDCC’s Associate of Science Nursing Program is fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN), and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Nurse Assistant - With partnership from several universities, LDCC’s Nurse Assistant Program prepares its students to address health care needs in various settings ranging from acute care and long-term care facilities, to home health agencies and hospitals. Aside from the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) skills and health care introduction inclusion in the curriculum, students are also exposed to other healthcare necessary skills such as computer skills and job-seeking. Program graduates qualify for universal certification.

Practical Nursing - This program is designed to prepare students for the licensure examination and the workforce demands. The curriculum is taught through clinical experiences under supervision and specialized classroom instruction with a progression from simple to complex.  Program enrollment is limited. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council of State Boards Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Registered Nursing - This Associate of Science in Nursing Program is structured to develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) for an entry-level nursing career. The curriculum is sequenced and organized systematically, following Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Hence, prioritization for specific needs is emphasized. It consists of 37 and 33 credit hours of required co-curriculum and nursing program courses, respectively. Two options are available for this program—the traditional track and the transition rack for current LPNs. Graduates may sit in for NCLEX-RN.

With its first nursing students in 1949, Northwestern State University (NSU) of Louisiana, is the state’s first public institution to offer a nursing program. Students benefit from the guidance of NSU’s faculty consisting of experienced health care professionals. Moreover, NSU entered an articulation agreement with 11 colleges for ease of credit hour transfer and education continuity.

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) - With the inclusion of general education courses, didactic and clinical nursing courses, this program prepares students for their career as a registered nurse. Designed for academic and career mobility, this program can be taken in two-year sequence. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - This four-year program includes three and five semesters of academic courses and clinical courses, respectively. Designed for preparation in providing nursing care in various healthcare settings, clinical courses can be completed in the Alexandria Rapides Regional Medical Center Campus or the Shreveport Campus. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and/or pursue advanced nursing studies. Another option is the BS to BSN program. In just 16 months, students who possess a Bachelor of Science degree can obtain their BSN degree. Prior to starting nursing courses, students must complete all general education classes required. Meanwhile, an RN to BSN option is also available. It is designed for registered nurses and is offered 100% online.

Master of Science in Nursing - This MSN program builds on the knowledge of RNs from their previous degrees. These knowledge and skills are then supplemented with experiential learning to prepare students to be significant contributors in healthcare improvement. Nurse Practitioner, Education, and Administration are the concentrations offered for this program.

Doctor of Nursing Practice - Northwestern’s highest-level nursing degree aims to develop student’s potential in transforming healthcare through evidence-based practice, advanced clinical skills utilization, and systems change implementation. This DNP program is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and accredited by CCNE.

Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) is a comprehensive community college in Baton Rouge. It has cross enrollment and articulation agreement with Southern University, Louisiana State University, and Southeastern Louisiana University, for a convenient transfer into four-year degree programs.

BRCC’s Division of Nursing & Allied Health is the first Baton Rouge public institution to offer the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree. Moreover, the said program is ACEN-accredited.

Nursing (Associate of Science)  - This 72-credit hour Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program can be taken in five semesters. This prepares students with the necessary skills, knowledge, competencies and values for nursing profession entry. Program graduates will be conferred a BSN degree, and are eligible to sit in the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to practice as a registered nurse (RN). Admission is a selective and competitive process. Admission requirements include a GPA of 2.80 or better in the 16-credit hour prerequisite courses, and a score of 75 or better in each section of the nursing admission exam. Moreover, an LPN to RN entry track is available wherein LPNs received credit for their previous degrees’ knowledge and skills.

Practical Nursing - Offered at the Acadian Campus, this 59-credit hour program can be taken in a span of four semesters. Program graduates are conferred a Technical Diploma (TD) in Practical Nursing, and are eligible to sit in National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This program has a limited enrolment process, with program acceptance required prior to enrolling in any of the practical nursing courses.

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), named after its location, Bossier City, Louisiana, is a SACSCOC-accredited institution. It is non-discriminatory in all its operations—from program acceptance to employee hiring.

BPCC’s Division of Science, Nursing, and Allied Health aims to serve the Northwest Louisiana citizens by providing quality educational training for its students through clinical, laboratory, and classroom instruction. The division offers an ACEN-accredited Associate of Science program which has two available tracks: LPN to RN Transition Track and Traditional Track. In terms of accreditation, the latest decision was continuing accreditation given in 2016.

Nursing, LPN to RN Transition Track, Associate of Science - This program aims to prepare Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to become Associate Degree Registered Nurses (RNs) and provide competent and safe entry-level nursing practice. The curriculum emphasizes student-centered learning achieved through clinical simulation and experiences, academic instruction, and community service. A clinical component is included in the program. This also articulates in other agencies and institutions. Applicants must complete all the prerequisite courses and other requirements to be considered for admission. In order to provide high-quality education, admission is on a competitive and highly-selective basis with acceptance rate dependent on the faculty-student ratio requirement, and classroom space and clinical sites availability.

Nursing, Traditional Track, Associate of Science - This is another option designed for obtaining an Associate Degree. Similar to the LPN to RN transitional track, the curriculum is also student-centered. Program graduates are expected to provide safe, patient-centered, and evidence-based nursing care. Therapeutic communication techniques are also developed in order to foster patient relationship and team collaboration.

A unit of the LSU system, Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA), named after its location, is a publicly-supported educational institution. Its School of Nursing emphasizes life-long learning for diverse students. It also strives for educational excellence and patient-centered care provision in various settings.

Associate of Science in Nursing - This Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program consists of 72 credit units inclusive of one and four semesters of pre-requisite and clinical nursing courses, respectively. The latter is conducted on-campus, face-to-face. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam).  In terms of accreditation, this program is CCNE-accredited with a Continuing Accreditation as the most recent decision. It is also LSBN-approved.

 LPN to ASN - This program is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to gain an ASN degree and transition for the role as a registered nurse (RN). It consists of 72-credit hours which includes a semester of pre-requisite courses. Clinical programs may take 3-4 semesters depending on the competency testing completion. Nursing courses and prerequisite courses are conducted onsite in the LSUA campus, while the latter may have some offerings available online.

 RN to BSN - Designed for RNs to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, this 12-credit program is offered 100% online. Semesters are in seven-week duration with full-time students taking up six credit hours per semester. Program completion length depends on students’ transfer credit. A nursing advisor is assigned for each student to help him/her plan a curriculum path.

Delgado Community College’s Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans aims to equip students’ for entry level nursing careers. Designed to prepare them with the knowledge and skills for competent and patient-centered nursing care, the curriculum is centered on the learner and is conducted through a blend of distance and face-to-face education. Student to faculty ratio is 17:1. Its associate degree, RN and Practical Nursing program has bi-annual admission.

Registered Nursing (RN) Program - Three options are available for obtaining an associate degree in nursing in order to become a registered nurse. The Generic Program is designed for first-time students, while an Advanced Placed Program is for Delgado LPNs with an active license who graduated within the past year. Meanwhile, a Transition Program is also offered for LPNs from other nursing programs or for DCC graduates for more than a year as of the application date. This program consists of 72 credit hours.

Practical Nursing (PN) Program - With more than half of the program hours allotted for clinical experiences, this program prepares students for LPN careers. It can be completed in 16 months, and students are equipped with the necessary patient treatment, medication and observation skills.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program - Approved by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), this program prepares students for bedside nursing care. Included in the curriculum are all OBRA skill Standards and are delivered through a blend of didactic and clinical instruction. A minimum of 80 hours basic nursing assistant care inclusive of 40 hours long-term care is required under the faculty’s supervision. Program graduates are eligible to take the Prometric Testing Center-administered certification exam.